Quote:
Originally Posted by Finneganistan
No, I haven't but now I'm really curious! I'm disappointed that the bmw designers didn't prioritize handling with this car. It's fantastic in many ways, but understeer at the limit is inexcusable. IMNSHO.
My '72 2002 with Bilsteins and sway bars handled much better than this 135.
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I've owned both.
Had a 128i sport that my kid totaled. Bought a 135i msport. Sold it and bought a 128i sport. Also own a cayman. All Manual. All the BMW's had M3 control arms.
After the 128i got destroyed I thought lets get more power!!!
The 135i was a disappointment. The weight and power no longer worked well with the suspension. The speed was AMAZING but it felt disconnected to drive.
I sold the 135i and searched for another 128i sport.
You can run through my thread to see mods. But basically 3stage intake and tune, M3 arms, bilstein B12, eibach springs and bars, dinan rear shock mounts, dinan camber plates. Summer and winter wheels and tires.
The car points, balances and handles really well. Around town as a daily its a joy with the extra power and crisp handling.
It does get a less credible towards the limit. I think it boils down to center of gravity and basic BMW suspension. The perfect shifter and gutsy NA6 BMW power is engaging.
Much better power than stock top and bottom end with 3SIM. Maybe 260? and 3200 pounds?
It is a really great car up to about 85%
I bought the cayman last fall and it is bone stock and on original suspension at 110000 miles and feels less compelling at slower speeds, even boring.....but really push it and the car seems to just get better and better. It comes alive at 70%+ and just begs for more ....I really haven't found a place on the street to safely push boundaries. 265 hp rated stock and 3100 pounds or so.
The BMW feels faster off the line and I believe is geared lower. The Porsche has loooonnnng gearing.....supposedly will pull 165. I dont think the 128 will pull 165....maybe 135? Aerodynamics I am sure is a factor...cayman is slippery!
I should figure speed in gears on each.
Planning a full suspension refresh and moving to cayman R springs and Koni shocks. SHould be even better.
It feels like it rotates around your right butt cheek and it just TURNS. No big motor to bend into the corner....You also feel like the cars C of G is about at your elbow and makes the BMW feel like a dining room chair.
Clutch and shifter are better on the BMW. But I love the Caymans too...Numeric cables and a short shifter.
Brakes upgrade on the 128 to F30 brembos. Never a complaint. Great pedal feel.
Porsche has Redstuff pads and brembo rotors. Initial bite is less but feel at higher speeds is dead on. The higher brake pedal makes no sense for heel and toe until you are DRIVING and then it works great. Common mod is a GT4 master. pedal/ wheel ergonomics are fantastic.
The BMW pedals and wheel ergos are great as well.
Sound is maybe better on the BMW (but I have airbox and exhaust mods) the Porsche is lots of intake and whirring mechanical down low in RPM since it is right over your shoulder but once you are 4000-7400K it does sing. Looking at exhausts for that car.
Tons more space in the BMW but you'd be amazed at the utility with a frunk and a hatch back. 2 sets of golf clubs fit fine in the cayman.
I'd be hard pressed to tell you which one I had to sell if you told me one had to go.
I asked chat GPT to compare the two after asking about speed in each gear. It did a pretty good job. Wonder where that missing 6th gear went in the cayman....2009 base manual is a 6.
******************chat gpt follows******************
Comparing the 2009 BMW 128i with a manual transmission to the base 2009 Porsche Cayman provides some interesting contrasts in performance.
2009 BMW 128i
Engine: 3.0-liter inline-six
Power: 230 hp
Torque: 200 lb-ft
Top Speed: Approximately 130-140 mph (210-225 km/h)
Maximum Speed in Each Gear (Approximate):
1st Gear: 30-35 mph (48-56 km/h)
2nd Gear: 60-70 mph (97-113 km/h)
3rd Gear: 90-100 mph (145-161 km/h)
4th Gear: 120 mph (193 km/h)
5th Gear: 140 mph (225 km/h)
6th Gear: 130-140 mph (210-225 km/h)
2009 Porsche Cayman (Base)
Engine: 2.9-liter flat-six
Power: 265 hp
Torque: 273 lb-ft
Top Speed: Approximately 155 mph (250 km/h)
Maximum Speed in Each Gear (Approximate):
1st Gear: 30-35 mph (48-56 km/h)
2nd Gear: 60-70 mph (97-113 km/h)
3rd Gear: 90-100 mph (145-161 km/h)
4th Gear: 115-125 mph (185-201 km/h)
5th Gear: 140-155 mph (225-250 km/h)
(Car is a six speed and good for 165 per porsche)
Key Comparisons:
Top Speed:
The Porsche Cayman has a higher top speed of around 155 mph (250 km/h) compared to the BMW 128i’s 130-140 mph (210-225 km/h).
Power and Torque:
The Cayman has more power (265 hp vs. 230 hp) and significantly more torque (273 lb-ft vs. 200 lb-ft), contributing to its higher top speed and quicker acceleration.
Performance:
The Cayman’s performance benefits from its higher power and more refined chassis, making it a more track-oriented sports car compared to the BMW 128i, which is more of a sporty luxury coupe.
Gear Ratios:
Both vehicles have similar gear ratios in terms of speed ranges, but the Cayman’s additional power allows it to reach higher speeds in the upper gears.
Overall, the Porsche Cayman is positioned as a more performance-oriented vehicle compared to the BMW 128i, which focuses more on a balance of luxury and sporty driving.